In a video circulated on Twitter, Obama said Macron advances liberal
values that are important to France and doesn't appeal to people's
fears.

That was an apparent shot at Le Pen, who has run on a far-right,
nationalist platform that saw her finish second in the vote last month.

She and Macron, who finished first in the first round, went into a runoff election that will culminate in a vote on Sunday.

Obama said he doesn't want to get involved in many elections, but the French one was different.

"The success of France matters to the entire world," he said.

"He has stood up for liberal values.

He put forward a vision for the
important role France plays in Europe and around the world and he is
committed to a better future for the French people," Obama said. "He
appeals to people's hopes, not their fears."